zenn bites...

journey to the west


was an early bird today
and took an hour-long train ride to woodlands
for an excursion to the sports school
which is currently hosting the fina/arena world cup.

the main draw (for me) was, of course, to watch mark swim
and provide a tad bit of rahrah cheering.
it's been such a long time
and we're all feeling more than a trifle old.

it wasn't his most magnificent of performances
but i'm blaming that on the snapped goggles
and the last minute notification that he's competing.

ernie, too, was one of the old guards still flying our swim flag high.
he'd told me he was only swimming tomorrow
but when he got to the pool just now,
he found out that he had to plunge in for an event.
so he did it in drag.
rather funny.

lunch at peperoni at greenwood with mark and his parents,
jaelle, mark's sister audrey and nephew augustine
was warmly satisfying
and i had a great time messing about with gus.

age really does catch up on us all
and i felt it acutely today
looking at all the youngsters
and realizing that, unlike last time,
i no longer know many of the people in the line-up
is scary stuff.